After a pair of well-received singles, Superchunk released Superchunk in 1990, a critically-lauded LP. In spite of the ensuing interest from major labels, Superchunk decided to stay independent, going with Matador Records for their second, just as critically-lauded LP, No Pocky for Kitty, followed by a collection of singles, Tossing Seeds and another pair of well-reviewed LP's, On the Mouth and Foolish.
Superchunk singer Mac McCaughan and bassist Laura Ballance decided to release future albums on their own Merge Records, which they had started in 1989. The band continued touring and recording, appearing on Lollapalooza and backing a minor hit in "Hyper Enough" (from Here's Where the Strings Come In). In 1999, Superchunk released Come Pick Me Up.
McCaughan was a member of Seam and has also recorded several albums as Portastatic. Initially a solo project, Portastatic has evolved into a full band, which currently includes Superchunk's Jim Wilbur as a member. Before forming Superchunk, McCaughan was a member of the Slushpuppies, Wwax, and Bricks.
In 2008, the band announced they would be performing live shows and working on new material. That new material manifested itself as 2009's Leaves in the Gutter EP, which was followed by a full-length in 2010.
In 2013 bassist Laura Ballance announced that she would no longer tour, due to a worsening hearing condition (hyperacusis). However, the band continues to release new material, including the 2018 album "What a Time to be Alive."
Slack Motherfucker
Superchunk Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you little smoke stack
You've wasted my time
I'd like to see you try and give it back
I'm working
But I'm not working for you!
Slack Motherfucker!
Relax, sit down
I'll kick that stool right out from under you
Well, then, I see you sitting outside
Well, I can do the same thing too
I'm working
But I'm not working for you!
No!
Slack Motherfucker!
I'm working
But I'm not working for you!
Slack Motherfucker
You Motherfucker!!
The lyrics to Superchunk's "Slack Motherfucker" describe a scenario where the singer is being made to feel restless and frustrated by someone who is lazily loitering in the same spot all evening without any intention of moving or being productive. The singer describes this person as a "little smokestack," indicating that they are passive and inconsequential, but their presence still annoys the singer nonetheless. The singer goes on to assert their independence and declare that they refuse to work for this person. The repetition of the phrase "I'm working," underscores the difference between the two characters - one is content to lounge around, while the other is driven and ambitious.
The second verse escalates the confrontation, with the singer threatening physical violence: "Relax, sit down, I'll kick that stool right out from under you." The tone of the lyrics becomes more aggressive, and the singer's frustration with the slackness of the other person is conveyed through the repetition of the song's title: "Slack Motherfucker!"
Overall, "Slack Motherfucker" is a snappy and hard-driving punk song that captures the intensity and angst of youth. The lyrics are straightforward and unapologetic, expressing a desire for independence and disdain for those who don't share the same work ethic.
Line by Line Meaning
You haven't moved from that spot all night since you asked for a light
You have been sitting in the same spot all night since you asked for a lighter
you little smoke stack
you are smoking too much
You've wasted my time
you have caused me to waste my time
I'd like to see you try and give it back
I want to see you try to make up for it
I'm working
I am doing something productive
But I'm not working for you!
I am not doing this for you
Slack Motherfucker!
You are lazy and unproductive
Relax, sit down
calm down and take a seat
I'll kick that stool right out from under you
I will remove the means by which you are sitting
Well, then, I see you sitting outside
I see you relaxing outside
Well, I can do the same thing too
I can also relax outside
No!
emphatically saying no
You Motherfucker!!
insulting the person as an unpleasant person
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Chuck Garrison, Laura Jane Ballance, Ralph Lee Mccaughan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind